The more foster homes we have, the more animals we can help!

We are always in need of foster homes for the pets that we rescue. By making the commitment to foster, you can truly change the life of a homeless pet. The foster program is an important part of our organization, as it allows us to place our pets into safe and loving homes while the pets await their permanent adoptive homes.

Being a foster parent entails taking a homeless animal into your home and providing him/her with food, water, appropriate exercise, basic training, proper handling and love. There is no greater satisfaction or rewarding experience than to watch a rescue pet bloom into a wonderful pet due to your own generosity and personal commitment to save his or her life.

There's no cost to you. Chicago Pet Rescue provides for the animal (including veterinary care) and will continue to seek a permanent, appropriate home for the pet until one is found. We ask that you treat the pets kindly, have patience with them and understand that they have all been abandoned or displaced by circumstances entirely out of their control.

Perks of being a Foster Family:

The wonderful feeling of helping a homeless animal get a second chance

A gift after every foster pet gets adopted

A free ticket to the CPR Recognition Party at the end of the year

By taking a homeless animal into your home, you help to increase the pet's chance of being successfully adopted in a number of ways:

1) You provide love, stability, and attention which will help him/her to rebuild trust in human beings.

2)You make the pet a more attractive candidate to potential adopters by working with the animal on socialization, housebreaking, and basic obedience.

3)Some homeless animals have lived on the street and have never had a regular routine or schedule. By inviting a displaced pet into your home, you greatly assist him/her in adapting to a home environment—possibly for the first time.

Our foster home coordinator makes every effort to match each foster home and animal for success, taking into consideration animals already in the foster home, work schedules and time commitments. We maintain tight communications and no foster family is ever left without support. Someone is always available to help when needed.

Chicago Pet Rescue...

pays for all medical bills

gives guidance for adoptions

matches potential adoptive families with your foster pet

provides equipment, food and other necessities

gives advice and assistance when needed

Fostering is a way you can get to know many different animal personalities, with each one being a new adventure and experience. Most importantly, you will be doing a wonderful thing—giving these deserving animals a chance at a new, loving life.

We believe your dedication and positive attitude should be rewarded. For every foster family you recommend that successfully fosters a pet, you will be nominated to receive a gift certificate. Please help us rescue more homeless animals, encourage your friends and family to submit a foster application today!

One of the proudest moments in fostering is when a lost, unwanted stray animal can go home with a loving family and look forward to a lifetime of reliable, consistent care and love. Our payment comes from the faces of happy and playful animals.

Without your home and love, each of these animals would be alone in a cage. Thanks for your support!

Interested in becoming a foster parent to a rescue animal? Read on!

Thank you so much for considering fostering! Chicago Pet Rescue has no facilities for housing pets. We depend on foster homes to take in pets until permanent homes are found.

Fostering an animal can be as short as overnight or as long as several months. All rescued pets are checked by a veterinarian and vaccinated before they are released into foster homes.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent to a pet, please read through the requirements and FAQs below. Then, fill out our online foster home application.

Fostering Requirements:

Foster homes must have a state permit from the State of Illinois. CPR provides the permit but a Permit fee $25 donation is requested.

Foster homes cannot take in more than two foster pets at one time and not have more then a total of 4 personal animals in the home.

All personal pets in the home that are more than three months old must be state or local licensed and vaccinated.

You (and your family) must have a good reputation for caring for animals.

You must volunteer at least one adoption event before being approved, unless special consideration is made.

Your home must be within 1/2 hour of zip code 60631 (exceptions can be made).

You must bring the foster animal to at least one or more adoption events per month or be available to have the animal picked up/dropped off for adoption events and vet visits (as necessary.)

You must immediately inform us of any medical or other issues.

Fostering FAQsHow long are animals typically in foster homes?Good question! Unfortunately, there isn't a magic number - the time varies from animal to animal. However, you can help with that, too! Foster parents are encouraged to send us cute and fun photos, updated information and fun facts; and to be available for adoption events whenever possible. This almost always speeds up the process!

And what if I need to go out of town?If you have an emergency or need to go out of town while you are fostering, you need only to contact us, and we will either find a new foster home, a weekend foster, or a boarding facility that can care for the animal while you are away.

What if I decide to adopt my foster pet?Contact us and let us know! When an adoption application for your foster pet is received, Chicago Pet Rescue will contact you immediately to make sure that you have not decided that you would like your foster pet to become a permanent part of your family. If not, we move forward with the adoptive family. If so, we move forward with you! Foster parents are expected to pay a discounted adoption fee.

How can I give up my foster pet when they get adopted?Knowing that they are going to a good home and that you helped get them there should be enough. Of course, if you get lonely you can always foster again and possibly keep in touch with your foster animal’s new family.Please also read our fostering guidelines. If you have additional questions, please email us at foster@chicagopetrescue.org. Thank you!

A short-term commitment with lasting benefits.

What is a Safe House?A transition home where a pet can rest for a weekend or week before going to their foster home. Since we are a foster-home-based rescue, we do not have a holding facility where an animal can stay while they are waiting to see a vet or find a foster home.

How to Become a Safe House:There are a few requirements. We ask that you:

don't have any other pets

are able to care for an animal for short period of time

are willing to inform us of any behavioral or medical issues that you notice in the pet

are willing to love and care for the animal

What are the benefits to being a Safe House?You can enjoy the company of an animal without the cost or the long term commitment. You'll also feel good knowing that you're helping to save an animal's life.